Too Good Not To Share - Chocolate Martinis & Inspiration

A couple of weeks ago, as I was trying do some "research" (my excuse for spending way too much time on the internet trying to find great things to share with you!) I came across this inspiration board. Elegance, Sophistication, Beauty, Chocolate Truffles, Martini . . . oh, my. {I thought to myself, this deserved more than just a little blog post.}

Being a "Brown" myself, not just the color scheme was inspiring (as an inspiration board should be), but the Chocolate Martini front and center was "inspiring" as well!

That is when I got SO excited and thought {Let's call a bunch of the best local wedding vendors in the area, ask them to donate a bunch of their time, efforts, money and exceptional talent, and come together to create a phenomemal display all around this random arrangement of beautiful picture clips!!}

If the inspiration board is already this amazing, you absolutely can't go wrong with the design. {At least that is what I keep telling myself till I can actually see it come to life and while I'm trying to pull all the millions of details together for this shoot.}

The first order of business was to find a Photographer, and WOW did we score! The talented Jensen Sutta will be capturing the entire event for us. Just check out his work for yourself!

I'll will obviously share the amazing images on here in a couple of weeks.

In the upcoming weeks, I will share with you some of the details that we are incorporating, a few diy ideas, and some of the great vendors that have joined forces to make this event spectacular!

Lastly, as part of all the "planning" I stumbled accross this recipe for a Chocolate Espresso Martini. To top this creation the main ingredient is Amarula Liqueur. This "bottle of perfection" is a South African Liqueur made from the African Amarula fruit. (Just look for the bottle with the BIG elephant on the label.) Finally this creamy deliciousness is now available in some local liquor stores and if I may say my absolute favorite after dinner cocktail!)

I hope you enjoy and find the recipe as great as I do and choose to make it your signature cocktail for your upcoming event!

Cocktail Pre-Mix:
1/2 cup Starbucks Coffee Liqueur
1/2 cup Amarula Cream (or Irish Cream Liqueur)
3 tablespoons chocolate sauce, high quality such as Fran's or Scharffen Berger
1/2 cup vanilla vodka

Chocolate Cream:
1/3 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons chocolate sauce
chocolate covered espresso beans

INSTRUCTIONS

To make the pre-mix, in a small contain combine the coffee liqueur, Amarula (or Irish Cream), chocolate sauce, and vodka. Transfer to a pretty bottle with a pour spout. The re-mix can be made up to a week in advance if kept refrigerated.

To make the whipped cream, in a small bowl, combine the whipping cream and chocolatesauce and whip until very soft peaks are formed.

To make the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then measure and add 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of the pre-mix. Shake vigoursly for 10 seconds, then strain into a small martini glass. Top each cocktail with a dollop of shipped cream and garnish with chocolatecovered coffee beans.

(Recipe and picture courtesy of www.fabulousfoods.com)